The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the provisional answer key for the Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS) 2026 on 5 August 2026. Candidates who appeared for the exam on 2 August 2026 can now download the answer key from the official UPSC website and verify their responses. Candidates can submit objections or representations against the answer key from 5 to 9 August 2026 up to 6:00 PM.
Overview
The UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS) 2026 was conducted on 2 August 2026 to recruit 1,358 medical professionals across various central government departments and services. The examination consisted of two papers covering General Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine. The provisional answer key has been released to help candidates self-assess their performance and raise objections if required.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 31 March 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31 March 2026 |
| Admit Card Released | 24 July 2026 |
| Exam Date | 2 August 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | 5 August 2026 |
| Objection Window Opens | 5 August 2026 |
| Objection Window Closes | 9 August 2026 (6:00 PM) |
Exam Structure & Marks Distribution
| Paper | Subjects | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Exam Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Medicine & Paediatrics | 120 | 250 | 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM |
| Paper II | Surgery (40), Gynaecology & Obstetrics (40), Preventive & Social Medicine (40) | 120 | 250 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
Vacancy Details
| Post Name | Number of Posts |
|---|---|
| Medical Officer (General Duty Medical Officer Sub-Cadre), Central Health Service | 864 |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (ADMO), Railways | 450 |
| General Duty Medical Officer Grade II, NDMC | 14 |
| General Duty Medical Officer, Delhi Municipal Council posts | 30 |
| Total | 1,358 |
How to Download the Answer Key
- Visit the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in
- Look for the Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 section
- Click on the Provisional Answer Key link
- Download the answer key PDF for both Paper I and Paper II
- Save and review your responses against the official answer key
How to Challenge the Answer Key
Candidates can submit objections or representations against the provisional answer key during the designated window. The objection window is open from 5 August 2026 and closes on 9 August 2026 at 6:00 PM. Candidates must follow the official procedure mentioned on the UPSC website to submit their objections. UPSC will review all valid objections and release the final answer key accordingly. Candidates should carefully compare their answers with the provisional key and only file objections if they believe an answer or question has an error.
Important Links
- Download Provisional Answer Key: https://www.upsc.gov.in/whats-new/Combined%20Medical%20Services%20Examination%2C%202026/Provisional%20Answer%20Key
- UPSC Official Website: https://www.upsc.gov.in/
- Advertisement Number: 09/2025-CMS
Disclaimer: Candidates must verify all information on the official UPSC website (upsc.gov.in) before taking any action.